MURRIETA: Ambulance workers seek apology from Murrieta

NELSY RODRIGUEZ nrodriguez@californian.com

Employees of the countywide ambulance provider took the Murrieta City Council to task Tuesday for comments council members made two weeks ago regarding the way the ambulance company bills the public for services.

Representatives from American Medical Response, the service provider, called for an apology from council members for comments they made during a March 6 workshop at City Hall. The workshop regarded a proposed fee for people who benefit from paramedic services performed by Murrieta Fire Department paramedics.

During that early March workshop, council members expressed frustration that the city does not have a way to charge for paramedic services, while AMR can charge for that service, even if Murrieta fire officials provide the bulk of the emergency medical aid. Council members directed their ire at the county, which sets the policy regarding ambulance services, and made comments to the effect that Murrieta fire employees are more qualified than AMR to offer that service because of their familiarity with the city.

Councilman Randon Lane also said AMR defrauds the public by charging patients for services provided by Murrieta fire officials.

He later clarified his comments, saying he did not intend to allege criminal activity.

Tuesday a handful of AMR representatives in their work uniforms attended the regular City Council meeting, and two of them called for the council to apologize for disparaging their work.

"You used words like ‘our guys are experts and more trained,'" said Murrieta resident Shelly Hudelson, who also said she is an AMR paramedic. "The fact is some of your guys were trained by some of these guys. I am glad my fire department strives for excellence, but on behalf of the (emergency medical services) professionals living and working in this community, we ask for an apology from this council."

Jim Price, AMR operations manager, blamed council members for what he described as a contentious relationship between fire officials and paramedics.

"After streaming (video of) the last council meeting, I can see where some of that behavior originates," Price said. "It's OK if you want to attack AMR, or if you want to attack me, but it's not OK, nor is it appropriate for you to attack the men and women who serve this community."

Because the AMR representatives spoke during the public comment portion of the meeting, council members were not able to respond directly.

However, during the portion of the meeting in which council members update the public on all the recent meetings they've attended on the public's behalf, two council members took the comments on.

Lane again reiterated that his comments during the last workshop were not meant to allege illegal behavior and said that he continues to disagree with the county-run system.

And Councilman Alan Long, a fire battalion chief in Anaheim, also said his remarks were meant to take on the system, not the individuals performing the vital service.

"I'm not going to back down about anything that I have said about the system," Long said. "Our system is redundant and is also 15 to 20 years behind neighboring counties."

The issue of ambulance services could grow more contentious as the Riverside County Board of Supervisors gets ready to discuss the exclusive operating contract held by AMR.

At the urging of at least one county supervisor and other leaders in Southwest County, board supervisors are considering allowing other ambulance companies to bid on the county contract rather than extend the current AMR contract.

A recent discussion on that issue was postponed.

In addition to formally insisting that the county open the ambulance service contract up for bids, Murrieta is also considering whether to charge a fee for the use of the Murrieta Fire Department's ambulance services. According to a tentative proposal, any person who receives emergency medical aid would receive a bill for $350. That charge would be on top of the AMR bill for emergency aid and transport, which, on average, cost more than $1,000.

Residents of Murrieta could opt for an annual fee of $48 in lieu of being charged for use. The $48 fee would cover every person living in the household as well as visitors for the entire year. It would not be refunded if ambulance services are not needed that year.

The fee must still be approved at various levels before it would go into effect, and Lane said he would rather the public vote in a fee rather than forcing a fee on the public.

Tuesday, a Murrieta resident said she opposed the fee, too.

"With our high unemployment rate and expenses going up for utilities, the citizens of Murrieta can't bear this tax," resident Jacqueline Fenaroli said. "Put it to a vote and let's see if the citizens really want it instead of just assuming that they do, because this citizen doesn't."

CORRECTION: Murrieta Councilman Alan Long is a battalion chief for the Anaheim Fire Department.

An article that ran on page B1 in Wednesday's edition of The Californian incorrectly stated he was a captain.